The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-02
THE SCENE AT LINooLN,s NoMINAT1oN.
Graphic Description of an Important Histori
Il

Graphic Description of an Important Historic
cal Event.
Life of Lincoln. in September Century.
Though it not expected to decisive, the
very first ballot foreshadowed accurately the
final result. The complimentary" candidates
received the tribute of admiration from their
respective States. Vermont voted for Collamer,
and New Jersey for DAYTON, each solid. Penn
syvania's compliment to Cameron was shorn of
six votes, four of which went at once for Lin
coin. Ohio divided her compliment "a for
Chase, for Mclean, and at gave Lincoln
her remaining votes. Missouri voted solid for
her candidate Bates, who also received a scat
teripg tribute from other delegations. But all
these compliments were of little avail to their
recipients for far above each lowered the agere-
gates of the leading candidates: Seward, 1874;
Lincoln, 1O2.
In the ground-swell of suppressed excitement
which pervaded the convention there no
time to analyze this vote nevertheless, dele
gates and spectators felt the full force of its pre-
moniton; to all who desired the defeat of Sew
ard it pointed out the winning with un-
erring certainty. Another little wrangle over
some disputed and protesting delegate made the
audience almest furious at the delay, and Call
the roln sounded from a thousand throats.
IA second ballot was begun at last. and, obey
ing force sure as the law of gravitation, the
former complimentary votes rushing to
Lincoln. The whole 10 votes of Collamer A
from Cameron, from Chase and Mclean. were
cast for him, followed by scatter of addi
tons along the whole oll-calI. In this ballot
Lincoln gained 10 votes, Seward only IL The
faces of the New York delegation whitened as
the balloting progressed and the torrent of
Lincoln's popularity became river. The
suit of the second ballot was: Seward, 1914;
Lincoln. Isl; scattering, 99R. When the vote
of Lincoln was announced, there was tremen
dous burst of applause, which the chairman
prudently but with difficulty controlled and ST.
fenced.
1.-The third ballot was begun amid breathless
suspense: hundreds of pencils kept pace with
the roll-cal and nervouslv marked the changes
their tally-sheets. The Lincoln figures
steadily sweled aud grew. Votes came to him
No. pnAuo a
2 from Cameron, ID from Bates. Is from Chase,
9 from Dayton, from Mclean, l from Clay.
Lincoln had gained 503, Seward had lost al.
Long before the official telers had footed up
their columns. spectators and delegates rapidly
made the reckoning and knew the result: Lin
coin. 23l4; Seward, $50. Counting the scatter
ing votes, 465 ballots had been cast, and 233
were necessary to a choice. Only II votes more
were needed TO make a nomination.
"A profound stiffness suddenly fell upon the
wigwam; the men ceased to talk and the ladies
to flutter their fans; one could distinctly hear
the scratching of pencils and the ticking of tele
graph instruments on the reporters tables. No
announcement had been made by the chair;
changes were in order and il only a ques-
ton of seconds VINO should speak first While
every one was leaning forward in intense
Dectancy, Mr. Cartier sprang upon his chair and
reported change of four Ohio votes from Chase
to Lincoln There moments pause.-a
teller waved his taIly-sheet toward the skylght
and shouted name,-and then the boom of
cannon the roof of the wigwam announced
the nomination TO the crowds In the streets,
where shouts and salutes took up and spread the
news. In the convention the Lincoln river
became an inundaton. Amid the widest hurrahs.
delegation after delegation changed its vote to
the victor.
"A graceful custom prevails in orderly Amer
lean conventions that the chairman of the van
quished delegation is the first to greet the nom
inee with short address of party fealty and
promise of party support MIR. Evarts the
spokesman from New York essayed promptly TO
perform this courteous office, but was DELAYED
awhile by the enthusiasm and confusion. The
din at last subsidized and the presiding officer